Recurrent benign intracranial hypertension due to iron deficiency anemia. Case report and review of the literature.

Abstract

Purpose: Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) causes benign intracranial hypertension (BIH).

Patients and methods: A case of an 11-year-old girl with severe IDA and benign intracranial hypertension is presented.

Results: Treatment of iron deficiency resulted in the resolution of BIH. Recurrence of BIH is observed with the recurrence of IDA. Chronic intermittent blood loss from the intestinal polyps was the etiology of recurrent IDA.

Conclusions: A thorough search to determine the etiology of IDA is essential for proper treatment. Although BIH is a rare complication of IDA, its association with IDA should be recognized for prompt treatment before an extensive and costly workup for BIH is done.